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Crop types in OverseerFM

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Crop types are split into categories with similar characteristics rather than having a long list of individual crops.

Table 1 sets out the The list of different crop types in each category

Table 2 sets out he categories of crops where the inputs or calculation methods differ. Search the category to find which crops are in which category

Table 3 sets out the characteristics of non-vegetable crops

 

Table 1. The crops available for each crop category

* crops in red denoted those added in Version 6.5.1 (April 2023)

 

Table 2. Crop categories and associated inputs.

Category Category characteristics Inputs at sowing
Fodder crops

Fodder crops, typically grazed by

animals. At final harvest the residues are retained

 

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

Forages

 

 Forage crops, typically grazed by animals. These are arbitrarily grass-like crops that typically regrow after defoliation. At final Harvest, the residues are retained

· Yield or default can be used (except for annual ryegrass)

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Defoliation Management Method (for annual ryegrass)

Grain crops

 

 Arable grain crops.

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3
Green manure

All grown material is retained and added to the soil as residues

 

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· No Yield is required

Permanent pasture

 

Permanent pasture that is grazed, left to fallow, or defoliated (as cut and carry). After a three month establishment phase it is part of a normal grazing pattern.

 

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Defoliation Management Method
Seed crops Pasture seed crops.

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3

Vegetables: greens

 

 Leafy green vegetables.

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3

· For broccoli, Chinese cut can be selected

Vegetables:

legumes

 

Vegetable crops that can fix

nitrogen (beans, peas and lentils).

 

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3

Vegetables: root crops

 

 Vegetable root crops.

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3

Vegetables: fruit

 

 Fruits

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3
Bulb: Ornamentals Plants for display purposes

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3
Fibre Fibre Plants

· Yield or default can be used

· Date and method of crop termination1

· Cultivation practice at sowing2

· Residue disposal method at final harvest3

1 Options for crop termination method are 'Harvest', 'End crop', 'Cultivate' and 'On going'.

2 Options for cultivation practice at sowing are 'Minimum till or spray first', 'Direct drilled', and 'Conventional'.

3 Options for residue method at final harvest are 'Retained'(incorporated into the soil with next cultivation), 'Burnt', 'Grazed', and 'Removed'(baled and removed from farm). if the option 'Removed' is selected, the residues will be considered as exported outside the boundary of the farm.

 

Table 3. The characteristics of non-vegetable crops.

Category Category characteristics
Fodder crops Fodder crops can have multiple defoliations by grazing or removal for feeding.  No crop regrowth occurs after defoliation.  Final harvest must be identified, and after final harvest, residues are retained on the block.
Forages

Forage crops can have multiple defoliations by grazing or removal for feeding (cut and carry).  For forage crops other than maize, the crop regrows after defoliation.  The yield is the yield at the final defoliation.  This is normally a silage cut.  For maize, total harvest yield is a required input, and there is no regrowth if multiple defoliations are used.  At the final harvest, the residues are retained.

Annual ryegrass:

Annual ryegrass can be defoliated (grazing or removal for silage or feeding), which is specified by the defoliation management option.  Multiple defoliations are allowed, and these can be specifically to cover multiple months.  If no defoliations are specified, DM accumulates to a maximum, and extra growth is returned to the soil as senesced material.  Final harvest must be identified, and after final harvest, residues are retained.
Grain crops The model allows defoliations (grazing or removal for silage or feeding) which are specified by the defoliation management option for autumn sown oats and wheat.
Green manure All grown material is retained and returned to the soil as residues.  Thus there are no defoliations (grazing or removal) for silage or feeding. The yield of the crop is not entered as it is assumed that, as it is not harvested, the yield is unlikely to be know by the user
Permanent pasture

Grazed pasture is automatically defoliated after a 3 month establishment phase as part of a normal grazing pattern.  Specific defoliations are not specified.  On fodder crops, it is assumed that pasture is grazed by farm animals.  On crop blocks, the animal types grazing the pasture need to be specified. 

For defoliated pasture (cut or grazed), the time of defoliation is specified, and multiple defoliations can be specified.

In all cases, if no defoliations are specified, DM accumulates to a maximum, and extra growth is returned to the soil as senesced material.
Seed crops Crops grown for pasture seed production.  Seed crops can be harvested for seed, or the vegetative growth can be defoliated (e.g., silage cut or grazed) multiple times.  Residue management at harvest refers to management of the residue at seed harvest.  Typically these crops are grown for 2 or 3 years, and the product (seed) harvested annually.  Between and before harvests, the seed crop is defoliated by grazing or cut and carry.  Multiple defoliations are allowed, and these can be specified to cover multiple months. After the first harvest, the crop is modelled similarly to pasture, and is referred to as regrowth seed crops.

 

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